Tag: Explanation Station

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January Explanation Station from St. John Adult Faith Formation

January Explanation Station from St. John Adult Faith Formation

The Fathers of the Church

If you aren’t familiar with the early Church Fathers, you may want to do some research on their inspiring lives. The Church Fathers were influential theologians, bishops or scholars whose writings explained key Scriptural principles in the early Church. They were not all ordained, and not all of them became saints.

But they had powerful communication skills, personal holiness and doctrinal orthodoxy, so we honor them unofficially as “fathers” for their proximity to the Apostles, their explanations of how to understand and apply Scripture, and their ability to teach the Catholic faith.

Studying the early Church Fathers has deepened the faith lives of many, even to the point of convincing non-Catholics to become Catholic. 

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Explanation Station from St. John Adult Faith Formation – Prepare with purple. Celebrate with white.

Explanation Station from St. John Adult Faith Formation – Prepare with purple. Celebrate with white.

Our first season of the new church year is Advent. Advent is NOT Christmas, even though it feels like it in the stores. Advent is a season of preparation for Christmas and it means Coming. Christmas is coming, so we prepare our hearts, our minds and our homes. The liturgical color of Advent, purple, is highly visible in clergy vestments and decorations because it is the color of fasting and penance. With candles, more lit every week, we recognize that Christ is the light shining forth in the darkness. The readings for the Advent Season prepare us for the holy birth of our blessed Savior.

The next liturgical season is the Christmas Season. Christmas begins, not ends, on December 25th and lasts through Epiphany which is on January 6th. This season is a joyful season, a season of celebration! We take down the purple decorations and vestments and clergy will wear white, the color of celebration.

So let’s plan this year to keep that tree up until January 6th and continue celebrating Christmas as it should be! A blessed Advent Season to all as you continue to prepare.

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EXPLANATION STATION by St John Nepomucene Adult Faith Formation

EXPLANATION STATION by St John Nepomucene Adult Faith Formation

Why do we pray for the Holy Souls in November?
It is no coincidence that this time comes right before Advent, a liturgical season that prepares believers for light to appear in the midst of darkness. Death is not only a part of eternity, but also of community. We pray for each of the dead, not just for our own loved ones.

The church consists of those alive on earth and also those alive to God in heaven and in purgatory, which is marked by the feasts of All Saints on November 1st and All Souls on November 2nd.  The prayers we offer are especially for those souls still in purgatory.

November is a great month to visit your favorite cemeteries for some beautiful moments of prayer, a great annual spiritual activity for the whole family.